Vertical Jigging Coho: A New Way to Experience Great Lakes Salmon Fishing
Rethinking Coho Salmon in the Great Lakes
When people talk about Great Lakes salmon fishing, Chinooks—often referred to as “king salmon”—typically dominate the conversation. However, as Al Lindner and Ben Wolfe prove in this unique fishing expedition, coho salmon deserve a lot more attention. While cohos might not boast the massive size of their Chinook cousins, they more than make up for it with their fierce fights, fast action, and top-tier table fare.
In this adventure, the crew set out to target cohos using an unorthodox but highly effective approach: vertical jigging with bass gear. The location? The mouth of the Platte River—renowned for its dense coho returns. The goal? Fulfill a two-year-long bucket list trip that had seen multiple delays due to weather and scheduling conflicts.
Catching Coho: Big Action, Small Water
One of the great things about coho salmon is their versatility. You don’t need a big boat or complicated setups to catch them. Whether casting spoons and spinners in waders near river mouths, drifting spawn bags under floats, or trolling offshore with downriggers, cohos are accessible in many ways. 
But for those who love the feel of the fight—rod in hand—vertical jigging near river mouths provides a next-level experience. It’s a technique long used for lake trout, but it’s quickly gaining traction with anglers chasing cohos in deep but accessible water.
Al Lindner summed it up best: “You like a jigging spoon bite, right? Come on up here.”
The Adventure Begins: Mouth of the Platte
The excitement was palpable as Al and Ben launched their boat at the Platte River mouth. The anticipation had built for two years, and finally, the stars aligned. The target: coho salmon stacked near the bottom in cooler water just outside the river mouth.
As they began vertical jigging, the fish quickly responded. Al hooked into his first jigging coho within minutes—a big male that had likely ventured into the river and returned in search of colder water due to recent warm weather.
Bleeding for Quality
One key detail that stood out during the trip was Ben’s meticulous fish-handling method. After landing a coho, he cut the gills to bleed the fish—a technique that significantly improves the quality of the fillet. It’s cleaner, less messy, and produces a much better final product.
“It’s a far superior product when we’re on the fillet table,” Ben explained. “The meat’s not laden with blood, and it’s easier to process.”
Coho in Huge Numbers
As the action unfolded, the sheer density of fish became apparent. Boats were hooking fish left and right—whether they were jigging or trolling. The Michigan DNR estimated a return of nearly 40,000 coho salmon to the Platte River for the season, with 20,000 already having entered the river.
With potentially another 20,000 staging outside, anglers like Al and Ben had ideal conditions for jigging action—and they weren’t wasting a moment.
Rod-Bending Battles
Using bass fishing gear—including St. Croix and Daiwa reels—added another layer of challenge and fun. These weren’t light-fighting panfish or even smallmouths. These were angry, 6-10 pound cohos, full of fight and attitude.
“My first jigging coho—and it ain’t gonna be the last,” Al declared with a smile.
Some fish were acrobatic, even leaping like smallmouth or musky. Others bulldogged deep, testing drag systems and rod strength. But regardless of how they fought, one thing was certain: this method was addicting.
A New Favorite Way to Catch Coho
Jigging wasn’t just effective—it was exhilarating. While trolling still has its place, both Al and Ben agreed that toe-to-toe, vertical jigging offers an unmatched experience for hands-on anglers.
“This is the way to catch these suckers,” Al said. “I got nothing against trolling, crawl all you want—but I’d rather do this any day.”
Plenty More Action to Come
With multiple fish already in the cooler and the limit set at five cohos per person, the day was just getting started. Every fish brought a new burst of adrenaline, and with fish visibly marking on the sonar, the bite showed no signs of slowing down.
Final Thoughts on Vertical Jigging for Coho
As the coho fishing action continued at the mouth of the Platte River, the success rate mirrored the nature of the fish themselves—fierce, fast, and unpredictable. With two fish already in the box and a few misses along the way, Al Lindner and Ben Wolfe kept their energy high and rods ready. It was clear: this wasn’t just another day on the water—it was a whole new way to experience salmon fishing on the Great Lakes.
A New Era for Coho Fishing
Ben Wolfe, founder of Sport Fish Michigan, was instrumental in pioneering and popularizing this vertical jigging method for coho salmon. While trolling has long been the traditional tactic, vertical jigging offers a hands-on, dynamic alternative that puts the angler directly into the action.
“We really started promoting it four or five years ago,” Ben explained, “and salmon respond incredibly well to it.”
Even better? You can do it all with bass gear. That accessibility makes this method not only effective but also fun for a wide variety of anglers.
Meet Sport Fish Michigan
While Al dropped down onto another active school of fish, Ben shared more about Sport Fish Michigan, a statewide network of top-tier captains and guides. Whether you want to fly fish rivers, troll open water, jig for salmon, or chase bass and walleye, this crew can deliver the experience.
“We have someone around the state who really knows their stuff,” said Ben. From professional-grade gear to clean, well-prepared boats, the focus is on creating a top-quality fishing experience for everyone—from seasoned anglers to first-timers.
Al, a veteran of countless guided trips, offered high praise: “I see a lot of guides. The equipment Ben has available in the boat is top notch. Everything is dialed in—the rods, the reels, the boat—ready to fish.”
Gear Breakdown: What You Need to Get Started
Vertical jigging for coho might be simple in concept, but gear selection is critical. Al used a 7’1″ St. Croix Legend Tournament Series rod, spooled with 30-pound Sufix 832 braid and a fluorocarbon leader in the 14–20 lb range. “You need braid for this kind of bite,” Al emphasized. “You’d never do this with mono—you’d miss too many fish.”
The Rapala Flat Jig and heavy jigging spoons—up to 2 ounces—were key. These baits drop like a rock and can quickly get into the strike zone. Importantly, they also need to glow. Deep coho respond best when they can see the bait clearly, especially in murky or low-light conditions.
Electronics: A Game Changer
As always, electronics played a central role in success. From LakeMaster mapping and Humminbird sonar to the Minn Kota Ultrex Spot Lock, the team used their tech to locate schools, stay on top of them, and reposition as fish moved.
“Once you spot lock, drop the baits, and catch a couple, the school shifts,” Ben explained. “You adjust slightly with the trolling motor and repeat.” This pattern allowed for consistent hookups throughout the day.
Making Memories—and Great Table Fare
Even the smaller coho were aggressive and fun to catch. And as Al asked the age-old question—“Do smaller fish taste better?”—Ben offered a practical answer: cohos, whether 4 or 10 pounds, are fantastic on the table, especially when bled out properly and filleted with care.
Al couldn’t help but remind viewers: “If you like jigging for stripers, spots, smallmouth or largemouth bass—this is your bite. Vertical jigging for coho stretches your line like nothing else.”
